Guwahati: Saving the girl child from sexual offences has become a tough job in West Khasi Hills district of matrilineal Meghalaya.

Faced with an increase in crimes against women, particularly minors, the district administration has decided to engage a woman karate black belt for self-defence training for girls.

At least 100 young girls and women in the district will be provided self-defence training by Linza F. Syiem, a black belt in karate, from April 2 at Nongstoin, the district headquarters.

The number of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012, has increased from 13 in 2013 to 28 last year and nine cases have already been registered in the first two months this year.

"Police have taken action against those found involved in such crimes and investigations are under way. But it is neither possible to put a policeman everywhere nor can the guardians accompany girls all the time. So we have decided to start a self-defence training for girls as a deterrent against eve-teasing, hooliganism, indecent behaviour or public nuisance on roads and to deal with any eventuality," West Khasi hills deputy commissioner Arunkumar Kembhavi told The Telegraph.

The month-long self-defence training will be conducted by the district sports promotion society at Nongstoin Indoor Stadium.

"The purpose of the comprehensive self-defence training is to make our girls and women physically stronger and instil a sense of confidence and self-reliance. It will be a personality-development tool. There is no age restriction, but we are focusing on young girls - school and college students initially," Kembhavi said.

Police personnel from 4th Meghalaya police battalion, office of the superintendent of police and that of civil defence will also join hands for the training.

"The training will be free of cost and those who are interested may enrol at the office of the district sports officer or the office of the district social welfare officer," he said.

"Initially we are trying to enrol at least 100 girls. We hope to continue further as the number of crimes against women, particularly girls, has gone up in the last three years," Kembhavi said.